The Denver Nuggets travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, January 2, with injuries shaping the outlook at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET as both teams arrive trending in opposite directions.
Denver holds a 23-10 record and snapped a brief skid with a 106-103 win over Toronto on December 31. That victory followed a 147-123 road loss in Miami.
Cleveland enters at 19-16 and carries a two-game winning streak after defeating Phoenix 129-113 on December 31. The Cavaliers also earned a 113-101 win in San Antonio on December 29.
The Nuggets’ injury report is extensive and headlined by the absence of Nikola Jokic, who is out due to left knee injury management. Jokic averages 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists, making his absence a significant shift for Denver’s offensive structure.
Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas are also ruled out, removing multiple rotation pieces on both ends of the floor.
Jamal Murray is listed as probable with a left ankle sprain and remains critical to Denver’s scoring balance. Murray is averaging 25.1 points while shooting 45.3 percent from three, providing spacing in lineups without Jokic.
Peyton Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are expected to see expanded roles as Denver looks to replace interior scoring with pace and shot volume. The Nuggets rank among the league’s most efficient shooting teams, which becomes central given the depleted rotation.
Cleveland’s injury report is more contained but still impactful, with De’Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill both listed as questionable. Hunter averages 14.7 points, while Merrill provides floor spacing at 42.3 percent from three.
Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus remain out, limiting Cleveland’s forward depth and perimeter shooting options. The Cavaliers have compensated by leaning into strong guard play and interior defense.
Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland at 29.7 points per game and continues to anchor late-game offense. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen provide rim protection and rebounding against a Denver lineup missing its primary interior scorer.
This marks the first meeting between the teams this season.
